Alatheia was escatic that she was offered a position in a small group of those who study all aspects of the medicinal community. Each person selected was gifted in one area in which their "job" within the community is to pass on their knowledge so another may learn and possibly use that information in their own area or expertise. This was a rare opportunity for any student to receive but for Alatheia it was one of welcome and honor. She had applied last summer and did not hear anything, she did not think she had enough experience since she was still in the Academy but she tried anyway and it paid off. All her hard work studying and recording all the plant life she could locate as well as other natural resources, their properties in corrolation to medicinal properities and overall effectiveness on specific illnesses was a daunting task but one she perserved at until she amassed a astonishing amount of data. She meticilously copied all her data by hand, verifying each piece of information, rechecking the graphs and outcomes before submitting to the committee for the hope of getting selected.

Quite frankly Alatheia was stunned she even received an invite, she was still in the academy but her work and journals about natural medicine is quite extensive. She was lucky enough to work with a fellow student, Kamimela in regards to her race's infertility problem. Although no resolution has come of it, she is thankful for the opportunity to learn reproductive medicine in the detail she was privy to.

Now she had to explain to her parents why she was leaving school early, this she did not relish at all. Her parents were very big on education, one could never have enough schooling for their tastes. Her brother is still in school despite having 3 degrees, they keep pushing him to excel. He is the top of every one of his classes and his three chosen fields of study but this is still not good enough for them.

Sighing to herself she sat down to write out what she would say to her parents, her Mother would be the easiest. The thought passed she should talk to her first then bring her Father into the conversation. He was not a man to change his views, he was steadfast in what he believed in and that was all there was to it.

But then she decided to show her father the letter she had received and hoped it would be enough to convince him what she wanted to do was important.

Dear Applicant:

In regards to your application and supplied information in your area of medicinal knowledge we have reviewed your information.

We are very intrigued by what you have accomplished in the short amount of time allotted to you in between your studies at the Academy. You have impressed each member of the selection panel and to be frankly honest this has only happened twice before.

Therefore we wish to extend an invitation to you to join our committee in the hopes of spreading your knowledge to others and in return, you will be granted knowledge that may be instrumental in your own medicinal endeavors.

You have exactly 30 days from the date of this letter to respond, we would prefer an answer by both mail, electronic email and a phone call. This way there will be no delay or issue in your response to us.

My direct line is noted at the top of this letter, you may contact me directly to give your response.

I look forward to hearing from you Alatheia. Although this is premature but I do look forward to meeting with you and discussing your data on natural resources in healing abilities.

Sincerely


A. Blackstone
Committee Leader

Clutching her letter she quietly made her way to her Father who as usual was at the table reading the daily newspaper. He has a large cup of coffee next to him as was his norm when he was getting ready in the morning for work.

Entering the dining area she stood just off to the side awaiting her Father to give her leave to speak. Her Father was very old fashioned when it came to gender roles and he expected the females in his family to obey without question. It agitated her some since times have changed since he was a freshling but she did not argue with him, she loved him dearly and gave him the respect he not only demanded but earned. He was a stern parent but he was also loving and good-natured.

A few moments of silence then he raised his eyes to her and said [i surprised dru6umu:0]'Morning my child, what brings you to me this early?[i/] he had a questioning look in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath she gathered her courage and with a shaking hand held out the paper to him. "This Father is why I came to you, please will you read it? she said in a stern but shaky voice.

He reached out and took the paper and adjusted himself in his chair. He took a sip of his coffee then settled in to read what she had handed to him. His eyebrows raised as he read the words. He glanced at her then back to the paper and exhaled deeply. Then he put the paper down, picked up his coffee cup and sat back in his chair looking at her.

No words were said he just looked at her as if trying to see something but she had no idea what. After what seemed an eternity he finally said "This is important to you is it not? I believe a education is extremely important and want all my children to excel in their chosen fields of work" again taking another sip of his coffee, waiting for her to answer.

"Father, I can learn more actually in the "field" then in a classroom. I will be doing medical procedures "hands on" something I can rarely do in the classroom. I am not saying it is impossible just improbable" taking a deep breath she continued. "By joining this "committee" I will learn at a faster pace, learn how to assess situations quickly and most important "trust my gut instinct" this is something I can not learn in a classroom Father" with that she waited for his final word.

WC: 1069